LIZHI INC. Reports First Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
LIZHI INC. (NASDAQ: LIZI) reported its first-quarter 2022 financial results, showcasing net revenues of RMB516.7 million (US$81.5 million), marking a 4% increase from Q1 2021. Average monthly active users reached 51.5 million, down from 59.7 million a year prior. However, gross profit surged by 34% year-over-year to RMB168.1 million (US$26.5 million). Operating income improved significantly to RMB14.6 million, compared to a loss of RMB72.2 million in Q1 2021. Notably, net income for Q1 was RMB16.4 million, contrasting with a net loss of RMB70.0 million in Q1 2021.
- Gross profit increased by 34% year-over-year.
- Net income of RMB16.4 million, an 84% sequential increase.
- Gross margin improved to 32%, up 700 basis points from the previous year.
- Average total mobile MAUs decreased to 51.5 million from 59.7 million year-over-year.
- Advertising revenue declined due to fewer advertising projects.
GUANGZHOU, China, May 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LIZHI INC. (“LIZHI” or the “Company” or “We”) (NASDAQ: LIZI), an audio-based social and entertainment platform, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.
First Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Highlights
- Net revenues were RMB516.7 million (US
$81.5 million ) in the first quarter of 2022, representing a4% increase from RMB495.1 million in the first quarter of 2021. - Average total mobile MAUs1 in the first quarter of 2022 was 51.5 million, compared to 59.7 million in the first quarter of 2021.
- Average total monthly paying users2 in the first quarter of 2022 reached 482.2 thousand, representing an increase of
2% from 474.7 thousand in the first quarter of 2021.
“In the first quarter of 2022, we’re pleased to continue seeing the healthy improvement in our profitability, posting revenue growth of
“On the global front, we progressed with refining TIYA App’s features, introducing new functions to enhance its social networking capabilities and further boost TIYA’s user engagement, user activeness as well as its global appeal. In addition, we worked diligently to upgrade our proprietary suite of technologies, empowering us to persistently innovate and enrich product features and functions to align with users’ diverse needs. Looking ahead, we will steadfastly execute our globalization strategy, continue our efforts in developing our in-house technologies, and strive to advance product innovation. We believe that we are well poised to capture a vast array of opportunities in the global audio and social networking space and achieve greater success,” Mr. Lai concluded.
Ms. Chengfang Lu, Acting Chief Financial Officer of LIZHI, said, “Our first quarter results demonstrate our growth trajectory. Driven by the continuous improvements in our operating efficiency, in the first quarter, our gross margin grew to
First Quarter 2022 Unaudited Financial Results
Net revenues were RMB516.7 million (US
Cost of revenues was RMB348.6 million (US
Gross profit was RMB168.1 million (US
Non-GAAP gross profit3 was RMB170.7 million (US
Gross margin in the first quarter of 2022 was
Operating expenses were RMB153.5 million (US
Research and development expenses were RMB71.1 million (US
Selling and marketing expenses were RMB60.0 million (US
General and administrative expenses were RMB22.4 million (US
Operating income was RMB14.6 million (US
Non-GAAP operating income4 was RMB23.4 million (US
Net income was RMB16.4 million (US
Non-GAAP net income was RMB25.2 million (US
Net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders was RMB16.4 million (US
Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders5 was RMB25.2 million (US
Basic and diluted net income per ADS6 were RMB0.32 (US
Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS7 were RMB0.49 (US
Balance Sheets
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash of RMB515.5 million (US
Conference Call
The Company's management will host an earnings conference call at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time on May 26, 2022 (9:00 AM Beijing/Hong Kong Time on May 27, 2022).
For participants who wish to join the call, please access the link provided below to complete the Direct Event online registration and dial in 10 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time.
Event Title: | LIZHI INC. First Quarter 2022 Earnings Conference Call |
Conference ID: | 8376836 |
Registration Link: | http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/8376836 |
Upon registration, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers by location, a Direct Event passcode, a unique Registrant ID, and further detailed instructions, which will be used to join the conference call.
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.lizhi.fm.
A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until June 2, 2022, by dialing the following telephone numbers:
United States: | +1-855-452-5696 |
International: | +61-2-8199-0299 |
Hong Kong, China: | 800-963-117 |
Mainland, China: | 400-820-9035 |
Replay Access Code: | 8376836 |
About LIZHI INC.
LIZHI INC. has created a comprehensive audio-based social ecosystem with a global presence. The Company aims to cater to users’ interests in audio entertainment and social networking through its product portfolios. LIZHI INC. envisions an audio ecosystem where everyone can be connected and interact through voices. LIZHI INC. has been listed on Nasdaq since January 2020.
For more information, please visit: http://ir.lizhi.fm.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial information is prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
LIZHI uses non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating loss/income, non-GAAP net loss/income, non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders and non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP gross profit is gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP gross margin is non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of net revenues. Non-GAAP operating loss/income is operating loss/income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net loss/income is net loss/income, excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders is net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders excluding accretions to preferred shares redemption value and share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS is non-GAAP net loss/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ADS used in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss/income per ADS. The Company believes that separate analysis and exclusion of the non-cash impact of the above reconciling items adds clarity to the constituent parts of its performance. The Company reviews these non-GAAP financial measures together with GAAP financial measures to obtain a better understanding of its operating performance. It uses the non-GAAP financial measure for planning, forecasting and measuring results against the forecast. The Company believes that non-GAAP financial measure is useful supplemental information for investors and analysts to assess its operating performance without the non-cash effect of accretions to preferred shares redemption value and share-based compensation expenses.
However, the use of non-GAAP financial measures has material limitations as an analytical tool. One of the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures is that they do not include all items that impact the Company’s net income for the period. In addition, because non-GAAP financial measures are not measured in the same manner by all companies, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies. In light of the foregoing limitations, you should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, superior to, or as an alternative to the financial measure prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” near the end of this release.
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to RMB are made at a rate of RMB6.3393 to US
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: LIZHI’s goals and strategies; LIZHI’s future business development, results of operations and financial condition; the expected growth of the online audio market; the expectation regarding the rate at which to gain active users, especially paying users; LIZHI’s ability to monetize the user base; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and overseas markets; the impact of the COVID-19 to LIZHI’s business operations and the economy in China and elsewhere generally; any adverse changes in laws, regulations, rules, policies or guidelines applicable to LIZHI; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
In China:
LIZHI INC.
IR Department
Tel: +86 (20) 3866-4265
E-mail: ir@lizhi.fm
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Jenny Cai
Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677
E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com
In the United States:
The Piacente Group, Inc.
Brandi Piacente
Tel: +1-212-481-2050
E-mail: Lizhi@tpg-ir.com
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | ||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 533,293 | 490,136 | 77,317 | |||
Short-term investments | - | 20,000 | 3,155 | |||
Restricted cash | 4,155 | 5,327 | 840 | |||
Accounts receivable, net | 6,458 | 3,553 | 560 | |||
Prepayments and other current assets | 33,604 | 29,456 | 4,647 | |||
Total current assets | 577,510 | 548,472 | 86,519 | |||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Property, equipment and leasehold improvement, net | 33,391 | 33,787 | 5,330 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 2,245 | 1,792 | 283 | |||
Right-of-use assets, net | 28,941 | 31,479 | 4,966 | |||
Other non-current assets | 799 | 681 | 107 | |||
Total non-current assets | 65,376 | 67,739 | 10,686 | |||
TOTAL ASSETS | 642,886 | 616,211 | 97,205 | |||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable | 80,793 | 63,033 | 9,943 | |||
Deferred revenue | 20,657 | 22,530 | 3,554 | |||
Salary and welfare payable | 123,075 | 104,630 | 16,505 | |||
Taxes payable | 5,564 | 5,549 | 875 | |||
Short-term loans | 68,999 | 50,000 | 7,887 | |||
Lease liabilities due within one year | 13,929 | 16,649 | 2,626 | |||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 53,486 | 54,273 | 8,561 | |||
Total current liabilities | 366,503 | 316,664 | 49,951 | |||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||
Lease liabilities | 17,076 | 16,968 | 2,677 | |||
Other non-current liabilities | 4,452 | 4,225 | 666 | |||
Total non-current liabilities | 21,528 | 21,193 | 3,343 | |||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 388,031 | 337,857 | 53,294 | |||
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||
LIZHI Inc.’s shareholders’ equity | |||||||||
Class A Ordinary shares (US issued and 782,801,250 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021; 1,268,785,000 shares authorized, 818,962,260 shares issued and 784,879,970 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2022). | 530 | 543 | 86 | ||||||
Class B Ordinary shares (US outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively). | 168 | 168 | 27 | ||||||
Treasury stock | (11 | ) | (22 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
Additional paid in capital | 2,630,456 | 2,638,753 | 416,253 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (2,366,531 | ) | (2,350,103 | ) | (370,720 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (9,757 | ) | (10,975 | ) | (1,730 | ) | |||
TOTAL LIZHI Inc.’s shareholders’ equity | 254,855 | 278,364 | 43,913 | ||||||
Non-controlling interests | - | (10 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 254,855 | 278,354 | 43,911 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 642,886 | 616,211 | 97,205 |
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||
Net revenues | ||||||||||||
Audio entertainment revenues | 489,306 | 556,304 | 514,022 | 81,085 | ||||||||
Podcast, advertising and other revenues | 5,747 | 4,028 | 2,691 | 424 | ||||||||
Total net revenues | 495,053 | 560,332 | 516,713 | 81,509 | ||||||||
Cost of revenues(1) | (369,993 | ) | (378,406 | ) | (348,621 | ) | (54,994 | ) | ||||
Gross profit | 125,060 | 181,926 | 168,092 | 26,515 | ||||||||
Operating expenses(1) | ||||||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (120,790 | ) | (70,859 | ) | (60,009 | ) | (9,466 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses | (19,617 | ) | (32,192 | ) | (22,378 | ) | (3,530 | ) | ||||
Research and development expenses | (56,868 | ) | (73,523 | ) | (71,094 | ) | (11,215 | ) | ||||
Total operating expenses | (197,275 | ) | (176,574 | ) | (153,481 | ) | (24,211 | ) | ||||
Operating (loss)/income | (72,215 | ) | 5,352 | 14,611 | 2,304 | |||||||
Interest expenses, net | (248 | ) | (154 | ) | (55 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||
Foreign exchange losses | (149 | ) | (311 | ) | (386 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||
Investment income | 407 | - | 94 | 15 | ||||||||
Government grants | 2,917 | 3,832 | 2,626 | 414 | ||||||||
Others, net | (749 | ) | 572 | (429 | ) | (68 | ) | |||||
(Loss)/income before income taxes | (70,037 | ) | 9,291 | 16,461 | 2,595 | |||||||
Income tax expenses | - | (376 | ) | (43 | ) | (7 | ) | |||||
Net (loss)/income | (70,037 | ) | 8,915 | 16,418 | 2,588 | |||||||
Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interests shareholders | - | - | 10 | 2 | ||||||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders | (70,037 | ) | 8,915 | 16,428 | 2,590 | |||||||
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | |||||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||
Net (loss)/income | (70,037 | ) | 8,915 | 16,418 | 2,588 | |||||||
Other comprehensive income/(loss): | ||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 1,136 | (5,152 | ) | (1,218 | ) | (192 | ) | |||||
Total comprehensive (loss)/income | (68,901 | ) | 3,763 | 15,200 | 2,396 | |||||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to non‑controlling interests shareholders | - | - | 10 | 2 | ||||||||
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders | (68,901 | ) | 3,763 | 15,210 | 2,398 | |||||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per share | ||||||||||||
—Basic | (0.08 | ) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.00 | |||||||
—Diluted | (0.08 | ) | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.00 | |||||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares | ||||||||||||
—Basic | 930,843,416 | 1,022,278,296 | 1,022,743,151 | 1,022,743,151 | ||||||||
—Diluted | 930,843,416 | 1,026,331,428 | 1,027,560,107 | 1,027,560,107 | ||||||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per ADS | ||||||||||||
—Basic | (1.50 | ) | 0.17 | 0.32 | 0.05 | |||||||
—Diluted | (1.50 | ) | 0.17 | 0.32 | 0.05 | |||||||
Weighted average number of ADS | ||||||||||||
—Basic | 46,542,171 | 51,113,915 | 51,137,158 | 51,137,158 | ||||||||
—Diluted | 46,542,171 | 51,316,571 | 51,378,005 | 51,378,005 |
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
(1) Share-based compensation was allocated in cost of revenues and operating expenses as follows:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | |||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||
Cost of revenues | 2,670 | 2,519 | 2,606 | 411 | ||||
Selling and marketing expenses | 283 | 1,039 | 1,007 | 159 | ||||
General and administrative expenses | 3,228 | 2,879 | 2,789 | 440 | ||||
Research and development expenses | 2,064 | 2,898 | 2,361 | 372 | ||||
LIZHI INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
(All amounts in thousands, except for share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
Three Months Ended | |||||||||
March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2021 | March 31, 2022 | March 31, 2022 | ||||||
RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||
Gross profit | 125,060 | 181,926 | 168,092 | 26,515 | |||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 2,670 | 2,519 | 2,606 | 411 | |||||
Non-GAAP gross profit | 127,730 | 184,445 | 170,698 | 26,926 | |||||
Operating (loss)/income | (72,215 | ) | 5,352 | 14,611 | 2,304 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 8,245 | 9,335 | 8,763 | 1,382 | |||||
Non-GAAP operating (loss)/income | (63,970 | ) | 14,687 | 23,374 | 3,686 | ||||
Net (loss)/income | (70,037 | ) | 8,915 | 16,418 | 2,588 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 8,245 | 9,335 | 8,763 | 1,382 | |||||
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income | (61,792 | ) | 18,250 | 25,181 | 3,970 | ||||
Net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders | (70,037 | ) | 8,915 | 16,428 | 2,590 | ||||
Share-based compensation expenses | 8,245 | 9,335 | 8,763 | 1,382 | |||||
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders | (61,792 | ) | 18,250 | 25,191 | 3,972 | ||||
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per share | |||||||||
—Basic | (0.07 | ) | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00 | ||||
—Diluted | (0.07 | ) | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.00 | ||||
Weighted average number of ordinary shares | |||||||||
—Basic | 930,843,416 | 1,022,278,296 | 1,022,743,151 | 1,022,743,151 | |||||
—Diluted | 930,843,416 | 1,026,331,428 | 1,027,560,107 | 1,027,560,107 | |||||
Non-GAAP net (loss)/income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders per ADS | |||||||||
—Basic | (1.33 | ) | 0.36 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
—Diluted | (1.33 | ) | 0.36 | 0.49 | 0.08 | ||||
Weighted average number of ADS | |||||||||
—Basic | 46,542,171 | 51,113,915 | 51,137,158 | 51,137,158 | |||||
—Diluted | 46,542,171 | 51,316,571 | 51,378,005 | 51,378,005 | |||||
___________________________
1 Refers to the average monthly number of active users across our platforms and Apps in a given period, calculated by dividing (i) the sum of mobile active users for each month of such period, by (ii) the number of months in the same period.
2 Refers to the average monthly number of paying users in a given period, calculated by dividing (i) the total number of paying users in each month of such period by (ii) the number of months in the same period.
3 Non-GAAP gross profit is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as gross profit excluding share-based compensation expenses. This adjustment amounted to RMB2.6 million (US
4 Non-GAAP operating income is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as operating income excluding share-based compensation expenses. This adjustment amounted to RMB8.8 million (US
5 Non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders excluding share-based compensation expenses. These adjustments amounted to RMB8.8 million (US
6 ADS refers to American Depositary Share. Each ADS represents twenty Class A ordinary shares of the Company. Basic and diluted net income per ADS is net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS.
7 Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS is a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as non-GAAP net income attributable to LIZHI INC.’s ordinary shareholders divided by weighted average number of ADS used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per ADS.
FAQ
What were LIZHI's Q1 2022 revenues and how do they compare to Q1 2021?
How did LIZHI's gross profit perform in Q1 2022?
What is the current outlook for LIZHI following the Q1 2022 results?
What was LIZHI's net income in Q1 2022?